News

Hi Everyone,

Seems like a long time since my last newsletter. I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day Weekend. Summer has now unofficially begun. Meanwhile, over the past month, Tennessee has been experiencing lots of rain, some tornadoes, lots of rain, some tornadoes, and (Did I mention) lots of rain. At least the drought seems to be over.

About a month ago, seemingly out of the blue, I developed Bell’s Palsy. Not life threatening fortunately, but certainly disruptive. The left side of my face was numb and partly paralyzed. It affected my ability to chew on that side, to drink from a glass or straw unless I used my fingers to hold my lips together, and it affected my diction–especially when talking for more than 15-20 minutes. It also impacted my ability to sing–I lost vocal power and stamina and about the top 5 notes of my range. And when I talked or smiled (Or sang), it made my mouth crooked (Eeeuuu!). All of those symptoms have gotten noticeably better after 4 weeks and 4 acupuncture sessions, but I’m still not 100%, so I will continue with the acupuncture. A cortisone steroid pack did nothing to help. Apparently it needs to be prescribed in the first 72 hours, and it took 5 days to get it (Boo, hiss!).

It has also affected my left eye–I can’t close it all the way unless I close the other eye too. This causes dry eye, which over time can affect the cornea, so I have to put eye drops in every couple of hours, wear a patch over that eye and use an ointment at night to protect it, and so far the vision in that eye is still noticeably reduced, though perhaps a little better lately.

I had to cancel all my May nursing home gigs, but with my voice getting better, I hope to be able to do most of my June gigs.

No one seems to know what causers this. Some people think it is a virus or the after affect of a virus, and I did have a cold for a month, but this didn’t happen until 2 weeks after the end of my cold.

I am fortunate, in that quite a few people have offered prayers and rides, and I have accepted rides for longer distances or to places I am not familiar.

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The CSLN Coffeehouse is scheduled for Friday, June 6th. Here is the info:

I haven’t seen the first two Spotlight Performers, though I hear they are quite good, with impressive bios. I have seen Sean numerous times, and he is an inspiring songwriter with a great voice. It looks like his wife Laurie will be joining him on harmonies, and they have even asked me to sing harmonies on one song–I’m honored to.

Open Mic Sign up:  6 p.m. (7 slots available) 

Open Mic Performances:  6:30 – 7 p.m.  (Original songs, poems, short stories, stand up comedy, etc.).  Up to 5 min. per presentation

Spotlight Performers:       7 p.m.,   7:30,   8 p.m.  See flyer above.

Potluck snacks and drinks, and love offering to CSLN appreciated.

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And finally, after renting space from Unity Center for over a year, CSLN has purchased its own building in Bellevue, and will likely move in some time in August. More on that when the time gets closer, but just like with buying a home, I think owning is always better than renting–we can build equity and it is ours to use as we choose.

Okay, that’s about it for this edition.

Be Safe, Be well, Be you!

Gordon

RECENT SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCES AT CSLN SUNDAY SERVICES; CSLN COFFEEHOUSE COMING UP APRIL 4TH; GORDON ELLIS ENSEMBLE’S DELAYED RETURN

Hi Everyone.

Well, spring has sprung here in Ellisville. That means warm one day, cold the next, heavy rains, and even tornadoes in East Tennessee. But we’ve had some really beautiful spring days too. Pick your kind of weather, then wait a minute.

I had the honor of being the Guest Performer at CSLN’s Sunday Service in February and again a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed singing with their excellent house band, and everything went over really well both times. Thanks, Larry Faragalli for inviting me back, drummer Dave McHenry, Keyboard player Mark Horwitz, bassist Don Morgan, and Larry on acoustic guitar, for helping me sound good. Also Ray Dryden on the sound and Jimmy Lopez on percussion in Feb.

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Our next CSLN Coffeehouse is coming up on Friday, April 4th. We have 3 great Spotlight Performers scheduled:

JON ROBBIN

Jon has lived in Nashville since 1984. He has had several songs recorded, including a #1 and a # 5 on the billboard charts. His other songs are also great!

MIKE WILLIAMS   

Mike hosted a very popular writers night at his home in Nashville for many years featuring hundreds of well known songwriters. A fine songwriter himself, he has also been a Kerville Folk Festival award winner.

LISA FIRESTONE:

Singer-songwriter and longtime new thought Music Director Lisa Firestone writes songs to heal heart, mind and body.  Originally from CA via FL, she enjoys musical perspectives that speak to the heart. 

Here is the pertinent info:

Open Mic Sign up:  6 p.m. (7 slots available) 

Open Mic Performances:  6:30 – 7 p.m.  (Original songs, poems, short stories, stand up comedy, etc.) Up to 5 min per presentation

Spotlight Performers: Jon Robbin, Mike Williams, Lisa Firestone, Half hour sets from 7 P.M. – 8:30

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Well, I had hoped to be getting the Gordon Ellis Ensemble back together by now, but I just learned that my keyboard player needs two more surgeries on his back, so full recovery will probably be pushed to late July at the earliest. Some people have asked why I don’t get a temporary replacement, but Arnie is more than my keyboard player–he is a long time friend, and my right hand man, doing much more at rehearsals and gigs than simply playing keyboards. I’ve chosen to wait until he is ready. I will also be looking for a new lead guitar player, as David will be spending more time on his own projects. I am looking for someone with excellent Country/Americana licks who reads Nashville Number Charts. Good harmony vocals will certainly be a plus.

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Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading this.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone, and Happy New Year!

I hope this year has gotten off to a good start for you. Here, in the “warm” and sunny south, we had 3 inches of snow in Ellisville a couple of weeks ago, followed by 4 days in a row when we didn’t reach freezing, while our overnight lows dropped as low as 8 degrees. Can’t wait to see next month’s electric bill (Ugh!).

It looks likeThe Gordon Ellis Ensemble will be on hiatus a while longer, as our keyboard player (And my right hand man in the band) continues to recover from extensive back surgery in December. Hopefully we will be back together and performing by mid to late March, but it may be later–you can’t rush these things.

In the meantime, this Sunday, 2/2/25, I will be the Guest Performer at our CSLN Sunday Service, doing 3 of my inspirational songs with their great band. I always look forward to that. Noon to 1 p.m. at Unity Of Franklin, 5125 Franklin Pk., Nashville, 37220.

Next Friday, Feb. 7th, AJ Bigler and I will once again host the CSLN Coffeehouse at Unity Center, 5125 Franklin Pk Nashville, 37220. Here is the pertinent info:

Sign-up for Open Mic is at 6 pm.  Seven slots available

Open Mic 6:30 – 7pm.

Original songs, poems, short stories, and stand up comedy 

Please limit your presentation to 5 minutes.

SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS

BRUCE-JON BRIGHAM – 7pm

JULIE GROWER – 7:30pm

SHAWN GALLAWAY – 8pm

Potluck snacks and drinks and love offering to CSLN appreciated.

Notes on our Spotlight Performers:

SHAWN GALLAWAY: Shawn Gallaway is an award-winning singer/songwriter, visual artist, author, workshop facilitator and energetic healer. He has traveled the world over, sharing his message of “Healing and Transformation through the Arts”. His “I Choose Love” song and online course (a collection of videos, songs, artwork, meditations and processes) continue to inspire and educate people of all ages on how to awaken their hearts and find their art.   JULIE GROWERJulie Grower is Nashville-based Folk/Americana singer-songwriter. She has released two albums,” In a New Light” and “Lucky 7.” Her song “Hometown Hallelujah”, written to celebrate the resilience and cooperative spirit of the people of Nashville, in the wake of catastrophic flooding in May 2010 was chosen as the theme song for the podcast The Voice of Free Earth. Julie’s song “Down Here” was showcased by Alive Hospice as a song of healing for those affected by grief. Her recent music features songs devoted to animals with a focus on endangered species, and she writes songs for film and television.    BRUCE-JON BRIGHAMBruce-jon Brigham came to Nashville in August 2000 and has been playing & writing original music and songs here since that time. More recently and since February of 2023 he has been recording a definitive album project which will highlight his music and will feature guest artists on several of its 11 slated songs. A four song pre-teaser EP will be released soon [Springtime 2025]

Any questions, please contact A.J. Bigler, or myself, [email protected]

Well, that’s all the news I know that I know. Have a great February. Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

I’ll keep this brief, as I know most people are already knee deep in holiday stuff.

First, a shout out to all who braved 20 degree weather to come out to the CSLN Coffeehouse on Friday. We had a nice turnout, considering the weather, and some fine Spotlight Performers. Thanks, to Lisa Aschmann, who captivated the crowd, Gary Gullbergh, who performed several of my many favorites of his, and newcomer Debra Griner, who brought some of her following with her and did not disappoint. We haven’t nailed down our next Coffeehouse yet, but we are looking at the first Friday in Feb. Stay tuned.

I hope we all enjoy the holiday season, whichever holiday(s) we celebrate. Wishing everyone excellent health, joy, peace, success, love, and prosperity in 2025.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I did. Good people, lots of food, and some great original music shared. What more could I ask for?

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Meanwhile, after about 7 years, I finally got to go back up to NYC (Where I grew up, for those who didn’t know). My brother and I have sort of been alternating trips to NYC and Nashville about every 3 years or so. It was a great trip, though short (Flights and hotels ain’t cheap these days). I was there for 4 days, but only two full days, so I didn’t get to see everyone. Still, I got to see two cousins I haven’t seen in years, two friends who used to be our downstairs neighbors growing up, and of course, some good quality time with my brother Eliot, who was a marvelous host. I got to eat out in some great restaurants, had a couple of slices of N.Y. pizza, and went to the top of One World Trade Center, where I challenged my severe fear of heights enough to enjoy the panoramic views and take pics. I didn’t know it, but apparently the WTC is no longer the tallest building in N.Y.C. I believe the Nordstrom Building is. I also got to hang out at Grand Central Station, which I probably hand’t been to in 25 years or so. All in all, a great trip.

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The CSLN Coffeehouse resumes next Friday, 12/6 at Unity Center Of Nashville, 5125 Franklin Pike, Nashville, 37220. Hosted by AJ Bigler and myself, we will start with an Open Mic from 6:30 – 7 P.M. (Sign up 6 P.M.). We are estimating space for 7 performers, each doing a turn of up to 5 minutes: One song, a poem, short story, stand up comedy. We will also have 3 Spotlight Performers: Lisa Aschman, who has written upwards of 10,000 songs, had scores of songs placed in movies and TV, and has written a book, “1001 Songwriting Ideas.” Gary Gulbergh will be our second Spotlight– A super craftsman and very engaging performer, his songs will likely stick with you even after the night is over. Our third spotlight is Debra Griner. I don’t have info on her, but she comes highly recommended. Here are the scheduled times:

Open Mic Signup 6 – 6:30 (7 slots available)

Open Mic Performances 6:30 – 7 p.m.

Lisa Aschmann: 7 – 7:45

Gary Gulbergh: 7:50 – 8:20

Debra Griner: 8:25 – 8:55.

We hope to end by 9:00.

This is a potluck–Please bring something to share. We will also likely pass the basket for a love offering to CSLN.

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The Gordon Ellis Ensemble is currently on hiatus for a couple of months. One of our members who has been dealing with back issues for quite some time will be undergoing surgery in mid December. We anticipate a full recovery and we hope to get back to rehearsing and performing by early Feb.

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In the meantime, everyone enjoy the holiday season and a great 2025!

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon